Bytown officer Juan Delcruz shot and killed 45-year-old Shantay Turner in May 2019 after he initially tried to arrest him because he had an outstanding warrant. Police had earlier said that during the confrontation between the two, Turner reached out for a teaser of Delcruz and used it on him.
The Texas Rangers led an investigation into the shooting and turned their findings over to the Harris County District Attorney’s Office for review. A report from Bytown Police said the DA then presented the findings to a grand jury, which returned with the indictment.
“We have faith and confidence in our judicial system, and we look forward to seeing this case move forward through the legal process,” the police department said in a statement. “We also say that our community continues to have faith and trust in the Beatown Police Department and dedicated, professional men and women, who are committed to serving with the honesty, compassion and professionalism of all members of our community.”
The delcruz department has an 11-year-old Pte, Bytown police said. Bytown Police spokesman Lt. Steve Doris said they still have employment, but have been given status for non-enforcement. Enforcement status means Delcruz is not working on the streets and its police powers have been suspended.
Turner had schizophrenia, according to Ben Krump, a civil rights attorney representing Turner’s family.
How the shooting turned out
Police said Delcruz was patrolling an apartment complex in a Houston suburb when he saw Turner, whom he knew had a pending warrant. Police said he tried to arrest her.
Unstable cell phone video captured the interaction. Turner yells at the officer, “I’m going! I’m really going to my house!” And then Delcruz accuses her of harassing him.
When he tries to handcuff the woman, he is released, and will ask Delcruz for the deployment of his taser. The video shows Turner slowly falling to the ground.
An argument ensues, and Turner screams, “Why?” Delcruz continues to try to take her into custody and Turner fills her arms and screams, “I’m pregnant!”
The woman appears to reach the officer, who stands behind him and fires five rounds, as seen in the video.
Police later said Turner was “able to gain control of the bully and use it on the officer.”
Delcruz attempted first aid, but Turner was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.
Doris, a police spokeswoman, said last May that Turner was not pregnant.
CNN’s Joe Sutton, Tina Burnside, Holly Yan and Elliott C.
.
